“Did you still want me to come with you?” I asked.
“Doesn’t matter. I’m not competing anymore.”
“I could let you ride Athena,” I offered.
This was a serious leap of faith. Athena was my everything, and letting Riley ride her would be the true test of our new friendship. It would give him the opportunity to prove he could respect my wishes and respect the limits.
He studied me closely, to see if I was being serious. I was dead serious, and I hoped I wouldn’t regret it.
“Thank you for the offer, but five days is not enough to get acquainted with an entirely new horse that hasn’t raced professionally.”
“Whoa, don’t count Athena out before the count. She is a great barrel racing horse. She has competed, just not at your level. She’s used to the crowds, the cheering, and the pressure. She lives for it.”
Riley studied Athena, who was grazing in the pasture beside us.
“Athena,” I called out. She raised her head.
“Want to race, girl?”
She pawed at the ground and lifted her head.
Fifteen minutes later, I had her all tacked up, and Tigger was grazing where she had previously been.
I was on Athena’s back.
“I have to give her very little commands,” I told Riley. “She does most of the work herself, and I hold on for dear life. Watch how she moves.”
I positioned us at the starting line, and Riley hit the button.
I nudged Athena, and that’s all it took. I leaned forward in the saddle, making it easier for her to gain speed. I leaned during her turns at the barrels and let her bring us across the finish line.
“Holy shit,” Riley said.
“What?” I asked.
“That time was much better than any I have had with Tigger, even on a good day.”
I slid off the saddle, and Riley and I traded places.
“Like I said, you just tell her when to go and she does all the rest.”
Riley nodded his head.
I retreated to the fence and started the timer, and they were off. It was beautiful to see the way that Athena moved. She was sure of every movement as she approached each barrel. The power in her legs propelled her forward, like she was flying. I glanced up to Riley, who was smiling and hooting and hollering. They crossed the finish line, and I hit the button.
“Fourteen even,” I called out.
“Let’s do this,” Riley called out. “Athena and I will show the rodeo circuit what she can do.”
“Remember my rule,” I said.
“I promise. I will not push her; I will accept what she puts in and won’t ask anything more.”
I nodded my head in approval.
They ran the course a few more times, getting great times. When she looked tired, I pulled off the saddle and let her graze in the field with Tigger.
“Does this mean you are coming to the competition with me?” he asked.
